ABSTRACT
Woodcarving fits, sometimes uneasily, into the general category of non-timber forest products (NTFPs). The category itself was spawned by a convergence of interests in forest conservation and rural development over the past two decades. There is increased recognition of the many products and services provided by forests and the high relative importance of these to poor rural people (Ruiz-Perez and Arnold, 1996). Researchers have documented and quantified uses of NTFPs, recorded the impacts of harvesting them, and attempted to estimate the value of consumption and trade of these products (Neumann and Hirsch, 2000; Sheil and Wunder, 2002). Development practitioners and conservation workers have looked for ways to improve livelihoods and conservation by encouraging improved management, supporting local processing and encouraging markets for NTFPs. Overall, much work has been done, generating important lessons and experience.
